Perpetual Traveller Overseas

The World’s Top 10 Airlines in 2017 rated by Travellers

The Best and Worst Tourists in the world!

As Perpetual Travellers we are all too quick to judge the transportation means and accommodation units that we frequent, whilst demanding ever increasing services at lower cost in line with our needs, but who is judging us the Tourists?

Having worked in the Tourism Industry for over 25 years within the fields of Hotels, Tour Operators, Airlines and Cruises, I learned from many of my former colleagues typically over coffee breaks or in more informal settings, that we the industry people often categorize Tourists and the behaviors of our Guests by their nationality, which in all honesty involves a measure of stereotyping.

For example many of us know that omni-present classic European statement, which is supposed to explain the essence of our strengths and weaknesses, as an expression of how we view ourselves in Europe. If you are not familiar, it goes something like this…

The perfect Europe would be when all the…
Cooks were French Police are British Mechanics are German Lovers are Italia…

Qatar to permit visa free travel to 80 countries

Qatar announced last week that it would be permit visa-free entry for citizens from a massive 80 countries, in a move that is expected to enhance air transport and tourism in the country.

Nationals from literally dozens of countries in Europe and elsewhere, including but not limited to the below list need only present a valid passport to enter:
IndiaLebanonNew ZealandSouth AfricaUnited States The full list of countries has been divided into 2 types as follows:
33 countries whose citizens can gain a visa waiver on arrival, that is valid for 180 days.While the waiver for nationals from the 47 other countries is valid for 30 days. This proactive Qatar Tourism Authority induced measure, will facilitate visitor arrivals for the FIFA World Cup in 2022 and immediately support the development of Cruise Tourism by making the Immigration process passenger friendly and cost effective. Moreover, it will attractive a multitude of source markets.

The UAE aims to spread a little happiness, why can’t all Governments be like this?

The UAE is the only country in the world possessing a Minister of Happiness and the position is held by a lady named “Ohood Al Roumi” who in 2016 went on record saying, "Happiness is a serious job for governments," she added "The main job for the Government is to create Happiness”. This is indeed a refreshing view and most Governments will try to convince us that GDP is the most important measurable factor of a country’s ultimate success – how wrong they could be! In 2011, the UN encouraged all member countries to look at Happiness by means of a holistic approach for development. Sadly, not so many nations have taken this too seriously. On a continent level, Europe is locked in austerity, the US is facing conflict of all kinds, much of South America is marred in corruption, Asians tend to be workaholics and several Middle Eastern as well as African countries face the ravages of civil war and terrorism; clearly not the ideal conditions around the world to generate Happin…

Mexico wins the top spot for the world's best country retirement haven, according to International Living

International Living has gain fame and notoriety among Expats for its high credible means testing, ranking, rating, and naming of the world's best retirement destinations, better known as the "Annual Global Retirement Index". I remember buying the International Living Newsletters, books and special report back in the 1990's when I first retired and today there still going strong!

As time and tide passed, International Living actively added new categories and considerations into the mix, gathering compelling and fresh ways of looking at the data, as well as increasing the number of questions and penetrating deeper towards a wider audience of Expats.

Over the years, countries tend to come and go on the International Living Top 10 list. For example Malaysia entered the frame in 2000 and Colombia in 2007.

In 2017 however, the winner "Mexico" has been constantly in the Top 10 throughout the past 14 years. Moreover, Mexico is celebrating the top spot for the …

Put your Smartphone down - the EMF's are dangerous!

The social and health impact on mobile phones today are many fold and it appears that we are nurturing a generation addicted to Smartphone usage, whereby the real consequences will not be fully known for another decade to come.

Ask yourself this crucial question: Do you control your Smartphone or does your Smartphone control you? If you hesitate, then the answer is the former. Just imagine for a moment, we now use our Smartphone with over a million Apps even at the dinner table, which is a real conversation and friendship killer. We use Smartphones to wake us up in the morning, control our finances, virtually manage our social life, support our business and store our memories through photos or videos.

The Mobile Industry has come a long way since the humble Ericsson or Nokia that was used primarily for phone calls. However, despite the convenience and ease of use, our health is at clear and constant risk:

Facts About Cell Phone Use
It is estimated that talking on a cell phone as little a…

World's Top Airport Runway Approaches Listed

The best 10 airport approaches in the world have been listed in a new report produced by aviation firm PrivateFly. The airport locations vary from busy urban locations to barren landscapes, but all give pilots and passengers exhilarating and striking views as they prepare to make contact with the approaching runways. Sion Airport in Switzerland heads the list, sat in an Alpine valley that inbound aircraft fly through before landing, while the dramatic Princess Juliana International Airport comes in second.

The remainder of the top ten best airports list is comprised of St Barts Airport, Gibraltar Airport, St Gallen-Altenrhein Airport, Madeira Airport, London City Airport, Lukla Airport, Las Vegas McCarran Airport and, finally, Barra Airport.
World’s Top Airport Approaches
Switzerland’s Sion is described in the world’s top airport approaches list as ‘Europe’s most stunning airport’. Two months ago, it was awarded another accolade when it won a high-profile airport safety award. St Gall…

A 'Ring of Steel' is being planned for London's Square Mile by 2022

A robust "ring of steel" estimated to cost in the region of £5 million GBP has been proposed to protect the skyscrapers of London's famous and highly revered "Square Mile" from an impending terrorist attack.

The methodology proposes manned checkpoints, rising street bollards and crash-proof barricades in addition to other more subtle security measures. This new development is in line with advice provided from MI5, as well as the counter-terrorism police in the UK.

A recent Corporation of London report pointed towards this critical area of London, as being highly sensitive to a hostile vehicle-borne security threat, hence additional security protections were called for.

Such advice comes about in the background of numerous terror attacks across European cities in recent times and the ring of steel is believed to be the best way to protect the heart of London's financial district.

London's first ring of steel was a response to IRA bombs in …

The Oldest Garden of Japan: an Unforgettable Walk Through Exquisite Scenery

If you have ever wished for a leisurely stroll through one of the most beautiful scenery in the world, the garden of Koishikawa Korakuen in Tokyo is your go-to place! One of Japan's most beautiful gardens, "Koishikawa" originates from a poem encouraging a ruler to enjoy life only after achieving happiness for his people.

It is one of the best places for walking as it features numerous trails you which you can stroll along and drink in the scenery at your leisure. It also emulates famous landscapes of Japanese and Chinese scenery with ponds, stones, trees and manmade hills.

Koishikawa Korakuen is open to visitors at all times during the year.

During the plum season (mid February through March) and cherry blossom season (late March to early April), the garden is especially beautiful due to early blooming weeping trees around the entrance gate. The following 2 images offer a glimpse of what you can expect.

The paradox of temperatures when travelling

Our crazy world is often upside down and turned-around. Why is it that when one packs for travel to Miami, Manila or Marrakesh in the summer, it's necessary to bring a jumper, long trousers and warm clothes?
Of course this is because the air-conditioning temperature is so cold indoors, as the thermostat is often set as low as 16 degrees Celsius. I know a sanitation expert in Miami that claims it's best to set the thermostat at such low temperatures, because it kills certain viruses etc. Recently in Manila I was conducting a training course for new Instructors and had to take the class out of the classroom every hour or so to thaw out, due to extremely cold temperatures. Some of my participants even wore wooly hats and Jackets!
At the other end of the scale, when packing for Munich, Manchester or Montreaux at the height of winter, it's necessary to bring shorts, light T. Shirts and Flip Flops as the heat inside most facilities is best described as tropical! Here the therm…

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Posts

Indira Gandhi - most expensive airport

Berlin Brandenburg Airport Passenger Trials

FlyRights: Sikh Airport Security Complaint

The Best and Worst Tourists in the world!

Qatar to permit visa free travel to 80 countries

The UAE aims to spread a little happiness, why can’t all Governments be like this?

Mexico wins the top spot for the world's best country retirement haven, according to International Living

Put your Smartphone down - the EMF's are dangerous!

World's Top Airport Runway Approaches Listed

A 'Ring of Steel' is being planned for London's Square Mile by 2022

The Oldest Garden of Japan: an Unforgettable Walk Through Exquisite Scenery

The paradox of temperatures when travelling